Fatal Pedestrian Crash at Loading Dock in Turlock
The Turlock Police Department (Turlock PD) reported a fatal pedestrian crash at a loading dock along the 3000 block of Geer Road on the morning of Thursday, July 29, 2021. The incident occurred at approximately 10:40 a.m. near California State University (CSU) Stanislaus.
Details on the Fatal Pedestrian Accident at a Loading Dock in Turlock
Turlock PD officers revealed in a preliminary investigation report that a delivery driver was allegedly reversing a truck into a loading dock at Ace Hardware when their vehicle ran over a man that was asleep on the dock. Crews from the Turlock Fire Department were called to the scene to perform life-saving measures on him before he was taken to an area hospital. Sadly, he was declared deceased upon arrival at the hospital.
The cause of the fatal pedestrian accident is not yet known, as an investigation is ongoing. The driver, who was uninjured in the crash, remained at the scene and cooperated with investigators. Officials have recently identified the decedent as 44-year-old Alan Scott Cole.
Delivery Truck Accidents and Wrongful Death Claims
Online sales over the past years have led to a higher demand for delivery services. This has led to a significant increase in traffic from light cargo and delivery vans. However, when such vehicles are involved in crashes, they may result in serious injury or even death to those involved. What everyone should know is that delivery companies often carry commercial insurance policies with high bodily injury liability coverage limits. Commercial insurance carriers often retain teams of investigators and legal counsel to protect their bottom line by limiting the amount they pay out in personal injury or wrongful death compensation.
A 2018 study by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) revealed that 1,276 workers in the United States died in a work-related accident while riding or driving a vehicle on a public road. Of these fatal traffic collisions, approximately 9% involved delivery vans and trucks. Any family that has lost a loved one in an accident involving a delivery vehicle may claim compensation for resulting damages so long as they are able to demonstrate that the delivery driver was responsible for the incident.
Proving that the other party was at fault generally involves establishing negligence on their part. In brief, negligence describes a situation where a loved one would have not suffered fatal injuries had the delivery company or their employee exercised due care as a prudent individual would have. Some of the ways in which an employer may be held responsible for a fatal accident may include failure to follow state and federal safety regulations, overworking employees, and placing unreasonable expectations on workers to make unrealistic delivery deadlines. Since delivery vehicle accidents may involve many individuals and entities, it is best to work with an attorney to determine all potentially negligent parties.
Importance of Working with an Attorney
When survivors have lost a loved one, their focus should be on being with family and grieving. They should not have to deal with the claims process and difficult insurance companies who may use any tactics they have to reduce or deny a claim filed against their insured. A Turlock wrongful death attorney can help surviving family members in their time of loss by handling all aspects of their case on their behalf. For details on how to find the best attorney to represent your family, watch this video.
What Our Law Firm Can Do for Your Family
If you have lost a close relative because of a traffic collision caused by a delivery driver, you and your family be wondering what options you may have for justice and financial recovery. At our law firm, we have helped many families with their wrongful death cases since 1982. We have the experience, skills, and resources necessary in recovering fair compensation survivors need and deserve. Our attorneys would be more than happy to do the same for your family. Contact us today to learn more about how our family can help your family.
Personal Injury Lawyer in Turlock
I’m Ed Smith, a Turlock personal injury lawyer. A fatal pedestrian accident case may be challenging, particularly if a delivery vehicle is involved. If you have been injured or lost a loved one in an accident involving a delivery vehicle, find out what options you may have for recovery by receiving free, friendly case advice from one of our attorneys. Get started today by calling (209) 227-1931 or (800) 404-5400.
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Since 1982, our legal team has obtained fair compensation and justice on behalf of those we represent. See our selection of past case results by heading over to our Verdicts and Settlements page.
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